The Demon Queen Insists on Marrying Me - Chapter 58

After the group returned to the inn, Mo Siliu stared in astonishment at the bed piled high with High-Grade Spirit Stones. “Fifteen hundred High-Grade Spirit Stones! Senior Sister Xiaoxiao, are you a gambling god?”

Lu Xiaoxiao sat gracefully at the table, sipping her tea. “It’s nothing much,” she said modestly. “Just a little bit of skill.”

Lu Wanbai was equally incredulous. “How did you do it, Xiaoxiao? Lin Yizhi seemed so unremarkable, and she’s so young. What made you so certain she would win?”

It’s because her attribute values were far superior to that pig Zhu Zigang’s.

Lu Xiaoxiao had initially thought this ability was useless. After all, if she could win without it, she didn’t need to check. And if she couldn’t win, checking would only deepen her despair. But today, using it to bet on the competition had proven to be a stroke of luck—like finding a new path after a dead end.

“Well… some secrets are best left untold,” Lu Xiaoxiao said evasively. “Why don’t you ask Chu Jiawen? She knows Lin Yizhi better.”

Mo Siliu: “Senior Sister Chu chased after Lin Yizhi as soon as she left the arena and hasn’t returned yet.”

“Then ask her when she gets back,” Lu Xiaoxiao replied, quickly changing the subject. “Let’s hurry and return the spirit stones to Wan Qingyi. Aunt Wan arrived in Dongchang City long ago, and we haven’t even visited her yet.”

“Alright!”

Lu Wanbai retrieved her storage ring and went to the bedside, placing a thousand high-grade spirit stones inside.

The group unanimously agreed that Wan Xuan’er’s kindness toward them was immeasurable, and any repayment should be doubled.

Two-thirds of the spirit stones on the bed vanished instantly. Lu Xiaoxiao stood by the bed, gently taking Tantai Jing’s hand. “Wait here for me, okay? I’m afraid they’ll make things difficult for you if you come with us.”

Tantai Jing’s dark eyes filled with confusion. “Why can’t I come with you to apologize? After all, this whole mess started because of me.”

“Absolutely not! Even if you apologize, they won’t forgive you. I don’t want you to suffer any humiliation. You did nothing wrong by saving people. It’s my fault for falling in love with you and protecting you. Besides, my Senior Sister is my only family. Let her take the scolding with me. You just stay home and guard the spirit stones for us.”

Lu Xiaoxiao gently pushed her back onto the bed and grabbed one of Tantai Jing’s favorite books, pressing it into her hand. “We’ll be back soon. You and Siliu wait for us.”

Seeing how deeply Lu Xiaoxiao cared for her, Tantai Jing’s heart warmed. She murmured a soft “Mn” and watched as the group departed.

The martial sisters, carrying such a large sum of money for the first time, walked down the street with their hearts pounding, fearing a sudden ambush by robbers.

Fortunately, Wan Xuan’er’s inn wasn’t far. They turned left at the corner and entered a medicinal herb shop run by the Demon Race. By the time they emerged, it was only the time it takes to drink a cup of tea before they reached the inn’s entrance.

As fate would have it, just as they were hesitating at the inn’s entrance, wondering how to apologize to Wan Xuan’er, her voice came from behind them.

“What are you two doing? You’re going to wear down the doorstep!”

The sudden, familiar voice startled them.

“Aunt Wan…”

Watching Wan Xuan’er and Wan Qingyi walk past them into the inn without a word, the two sisters exchanged guilty glances and followed, stopping only at the entrance to Wan Xuan’er’s room.

“Aunt Wan,” Lu Xiaoxiao began, “I’ve come to apologize. I’m deeply grateful for your care at Jade Glow Palace. I was ungrateful and didn’t appreciate your kindness. I heard that several Elders at Jade Glow Palace were severely injured and lost a major cultivation realm because of me. Xiaoxiao knows her sins are grave and has brought some medicinal pills and spirit stones as compensation. Please accept them.”

After speaking, Lu Xiaoxiao removed the storage ring from her finger and placed it on the nearby table. She returned to her original position, standing obediently with her hands at her sides.

Wan Xuan’er’s face was slightly pale, likely still recovering from the damage to her Lifebound Magic Artifact, the Demon-Locking Tower. Lu Xiaoxiao felt a pang of guilt.

Wan Qingyi walked to the table, picked up the unclaimed storage ring, and emptied its contents onto the surface.

“How did you get so many spirit stones and Qi Condensation Pills?” Wan Qingyi stared at the four hundred High-Grade Spirit Stones and thirteen Qi Condensation Pills on the table.

She was stunned by Lu Xiaoxiao’s generosity. Qi Condensation Pills were rare elixirs used to break through cultivation realms, incredibly valuable and nearly impossible to find. Even the rewards for the Sun-Moon Grand Competition totaled only fifty-five pills.

These thirteen Qi Condensation Pills had been acquired through Tantai Jing’s connections, allowing the two women to purchase them. However, they had decided it was best to keep this quiet, as the recipients likely wouldn’t appreciate the truth.

Lu Xiaoxiao stood beside them, offering an apologetic smile. “How is Aunt Wan recovering?”

Wan Xuan’er slowly lifted her eyelids, casting a languid glance at Lu Xiaoxiao before finally speaking. “How are things between you and Tantai Jing now?”

Lu Xiaoxiao was taken aback by the question, momentarily at a loss for words. She hesitated, unsure whether to answer honestly or give the answer Wan Xuan’er wanted to hear.

Seeing her hesitation, Wan Xuan’er immediately understood everything. Moreover, the pair had been conspicuously eye-catching in the competition arena, making it impossible for Wan Xuan’er to ignore them.

“You know she’s a member of the Demon Race. Why are you still with her?”

Lu Xiaoxiao’s mind raced, confused as to why Wan Xuan’er hadn’t asked about the events of the day the Demon-Locking Tower was breached.

She answered honestly, “Why shouldn’t I be with her just because she’s a demon?”

Seeing Wan Xuan’er’s surprise, Lu Xiaoxiao continued, “Although she infiltrated Jade Glow Palace with the intention of breaking the Demon-Locking Tower, she did it to save her family. On the day Yan Gengshen used the teleportation array to attack the tower, she even rang the palace’s warning bell in advance. She never intended to harm anyone else.”

“I know these reasons don’t excuse her past mistakes, but I believe she’s genuinely sincere toward me. So whether she’s a demon or a monster, I still love her. After all, no one is perfect, are they, Aunt Wan?”

Wan Qingyi slammed her hand on the table, her voice sharp with anger. “Lies! It’s an undeniable fact that she colluded with Yan Gengshen to attack Jade Glow Palace. You and Lu Wanbai are both blinded by infatuation, spending all your time with her!” She shot a venomous glare at Lu Wanbai.

As Wan Qingyi’s tirade escalated, Wan Xuan’er fell into deep thought. After a moment, she turned to Lu Xiaoxiao and said, “Aunt Wan, I have a question, but I’m not sure if it’s appropriate to ask.”

Wan Qingyi retorted without hesitation, “If you’re not sure, then don’t ask!”

Lu Xiaoxiao scratched her head awkwardly, embarrassed by the rebuke.

Wan Xuan’er snapped out of her reverie. “Qingyi, take Wanbai outside for a moment.”

Wan Qingyi stomped her foot in frustration, but ultimately yielded to Wan Xuan’er’s insistence, leading Lu Wanbai out of the room.

“I know what you want to ask,” Wan Xuan’er said quietly. “It all comes back to why I imprisoned Fu Zhao in the Demon-Locking Tower all those years ago.”

Her gaze gradually lost focus as she sank into a whirlpool of memories, oblivious to her surroundings. After a long silence, she seemed to jolt awake from a prolonged dream, her eyes refocusing with their former clarity.

She shook her head slightly, as if trying to shake off the chaotic thoughts swirling in her mind. “Simply because she was a demon. Not of our kind. Their hearts are inherently different.”

Lu Xiaoxiao: “What about the rumors circulating outside?”

Wan Xuan’er: “I didn’t know she was a demon at the time, or I wouldn’t have been deceived. She’s been imprisoned in the Demon-Locking Tower for a century, her sins long since atoned for. It’s best she’s released.”

“Let’s put the Tantai Jing matter to rest. Even if she hadn’t colluded with Yan Gengshen, he would have eventually come to rescue Yan Sihhong. I’ll accept the gifts you brought for the Elders on their behalf.”

Lu Xiaoxiao bowed deeply to Wan Xuan’er. “Thank you, Aunt Wan. Xiaoxiao is deeply grateful.”

Wan Xuan’er didn’t stand on ceremony this time, accepting the gifts without hesitation. “If you’re truly grateful, then look after Qingyi for me in the future.”

“I’ve noticed some unsettling signs surrounding the Sun-Moon Grand Competition in Dongchang City. You should leave as soon as possible and avoid getting caught up in this whirlpool. Establishing a sect takes more than a day—don’t be too fixated on it.”

Lu Xiaoxiao couldn’t shake the feeling that Wan Xuan’er’s words carried the weight of a final farewell, leaving her with an inexplicable sense of unease.

“Xiaoxiao will heed your teachings, but Senior Sister is too fixated on this matter. I fear she won’t be able to leave Dongchang City for the time being.”

After exchanging a few more pleasantries, Lu Xiaoxiao excused herself early, citing Tantai Jing’s wait at the inn and the ominous feeling that had permeated her conversation with Wan Xuan’er.

Back at the inn that night, Lu Xiaoxiao lay her head on Tantai Jing’s lap, her heart still filled with unease.

“Senior Sister Jing, do you think there’s something wrong with the Sun-Moon Grand Competition? Would Yan Gengshen really be so benevolent?” Lu Xiaoxiao asked, turning to look up at Tantai Jing.

Tantai Jing paused her reading, gently stroking Lu Xiaoxiao’s cheek. “It should be fine. Both demons and humans are participating, and so far, there’s no sign of foul play. Perhaps he truly seeks peaceful coexistence between our races.”

Lu Xiaoxiao found the caress comforting, but her anxiety persisted. “But when Aunt Wan spoke to me today, I sensed something major was about to happen. She even asked me and Senior Sister to look after Wan Qingyi in the future.”

At this, Lu Xiaoxiao sat up straight, her eyes filled with concern as she looked at Tantai Jing. “Aunt Wan is at the Great Ascension Stage. Doesn’t it seem strange that she’d ask us two to look after Wan Qingyi?”

Tantai Jing set down her book and cupped Lu Xiaoxiao’s face in her hands. “Don’t worry so much. She’s always been prejudiced against the Demon Race. Besides, with me and Godmother watching over things, we’ll be there if anything happens.”

Hearing this, Lu Xiaoxiao finally relaxed. At least Tantai Jing and Fu Zhao weren’t aligned with Yan Gengshen, whatever he might be planning.

As the two spoke, they remained completely unaware that the five hundred high-grade spirit stones on the table were gradually dissolving into a trickle of energy, flowing directly toward the Chaoyuan Sword resting nearby, its faint cold light shimmering faintly.

By the end, only a single spirit stone remained on the table.

It wasn’t until bedtime that Lu Xiaoxiao noticed the lone spirit stone. She silently pocketed it, thinking to herself, When did Tantai Jing take the rest? Her interest rates are outrageous—ten times the original amount, leaving me just enough for basic necessities. I’ll never borrow money from her again.

The Sun-Moon Grand Competition continued in full swing.

With the Profound Heaven Sword Art and the Chaoyuan Sword in her possession, Lu Xiaoxiao was virtually invincible within the Nascent Soul Stage. As expected, within a few days, the million mid-grade spirit stones and ten Qi Condensation Pills were hers.

Lu Wanbai, meanwhile, secured first place in the Golden Core Stage, claiming the same prize of a million mid-grade spirit stones and ten Qi Condensation Pills.

The two stood on the high platform, their joy overflowing. They eagerly anticipated returning with their spoils to establish a small sect and gradually expand it.

Clutching their hard-won treasures, Lu Xiaoxiao now saw Yan Gengshen as the kindest, most generous person imaginable. Given the vast disparity in strength between the Human Race and the Demon Race—with humans occupying seventy of the top hundred spots—it was practically the Demon Race gifting wealth to the humans.

Yan Gengshen, who had been absent for some time, unexpectedly appeared on the high platform, his face radiant with vitality. He strode slowly toward the stage.

But as he stepped onto the platform, the once-calm arena suddenly erupted into chaos. Gale-force winds tore through the air, distorting even the fabric of space.

Dark clouds swiftly gathered, blotting out the sun and swallowing the once-bright sky, leaving not a single ray of light to penetrate.

Amidst this chaotic scene, at the very apex of the sky, a colossal vortex silently materialized. It spun with such ferocity that the surrounding air was violently drawn in, emitting a piercing, high-pitched wail.

Even more astonishingly, as the vortex gradually stabilized, glimpses of an entirely different realm began to emerge from within—verdant mountains, emerald waters, and swirling mists, clearly a distinct microcosm.

“Is this some great cultivator’s trial grounds?” The crowd erupted into chaos, and questions gradually began to surface.

Lu Xiaoxiao’s heart pounded in her chest. Though the microcosm appeared serene and tranquil, it stirred an unsettling unease within her. An inexplicable sense of dread lingered in her mind.

She anxiously scanned her surroundings, desperately searching for clues in the expressions and movements of those around her. But everyone was too engrossed in the shock of the microcosm’s appearance to notice her distress.

Only Yan Gengshen remained oblivious, continuing his ascent toward the high platform.

“Senior Sister, hurry and find Mo Siliu! We’ll meet at the gate!” Lu Xiaoxiao urgently told the senior sister beside her, but the words had barely left her lips when she realized her mistake.

“No! Let’s meet back at the inn instead!”

Without waiting for her Senior Sister’s response or even bothering to collect the spirit stones that hadn’t yet been distributed, Lu Xiaoxiao urgently shoved through the crowd, desperately trying to squeeze her way toward Tantai Jing.

This suddenly appearing small world was truly bizarre, unlike anything she had ever seen before.

Normally, small worlds would simply leave a single opening, quietly waiting for cultivators whose karmic affinity had ripened to enter.

But today, this small world was surging toward the arena like a tidal wave, as if possessed by its own will, eager to have cultivators enter and seize its unknown opportunities.

As Lu Xiaoxiao struggled forward, she glanced up at the approaching vortex. She noticed that the scenes of verdant mountains, clear waters, and swirling mists within the vortex were constantly shifting.

Meanwhile, Tantai Jing also sensed something was amiss. She turned to Fu Zhao, who was also present, and asked, “Godmother, what’s going on here?”

Fu Zhao’s expression was equally grave. Her brow furrowed as she stared intently at the encroaching vortex, her voice low and serious. “I don’t know what Yan Gengshen is up to. We need to leave this place immediately. Something’s not right here.”

As soon as she finished speaking, Fu Zhao reached out to grab Tantai Jing’s hand, intending to use her teleportation magic to whisk them both away from the perilous high platform.

Tantai Jing’s heart skipped a beat. She turned to see Lu Xiaoxiao running toward them. “Wait, Godmother! Lu Xiaoxiao is still here!”

“We can’t afford to worry about that now,” Fu Zhao replied.

To Fu Zhao’s surprise, her spiritual energy seemed to be bound by an invisible force. The teleportation spell failed to activate.

“Damn it! Yan Gengshen must have set up an array beforehand. Teleportation is impossible here now!”

Fu Zhao’s expression darkened. Without hesitation, she grabbed Tantai Jing and, channeling her formidable spiritual energy, propelled them both into a rapid flight toward the edge of the arena.

However, the arena had descended into chaos.

Tens of thousands of people were crammed together. Some, their eyes gleaming with greed, eagerly soared toward the swirling vortex of the miniature world above, desperate not to miss this once-in-a-millennium opportunity.

Others appeared panicked and helpless, anxiously searching for their loved ones amidst the crushing crowd. The scene was utterly chaotic.

Others, like Tantai Jing and Fu Zhao, sensed something was amiss and frantically flew toward the edge of the arena, desperate to escape this perilous place.

Instantly, the entire arena erupted into chaos, with people crowding both the ground and the sky. Wherever Fu Zhao passed, her overwhelming spiritual energy sent both humans and demons flying backward, coughing up bl00d and leaving a trail of carnage in her wake.

Far away, Lu Xiaoxiao spotted Fu Zhao carrying Tantai Jing as they soared toward the exit. Her heart calmed slightly, knowing Tantai Jing was at least temporarily safe. She immediately followed them, pushing through the throng and struggling to break free of the crowd.

But even faster than them was the miniature world above, hurtling downward with irresistible force at an astonishing speed.

The once-enticing vision of verdant mountains, clear waters, and swirling mists had transformed in the eyes of the crowd from a seductive paradise into a terrifying vortex poised to devour everything.

In less than five breaths, the entire arena was completely engulfed by the miniature world. The once-deafening clamor of the crowd vanished instantly, replaced by an eerie silence.